There are some people that are born with perfectly clear skin that they will have throughout their lives whilst many others need to work hard at keeping acne, spots and inflammation at bay in order to achieve a clear complexion.

Whether you suffer from acne, acne rosacea, blackheads, white heads, spots or inflamed skin, having clear skin not only gives us confidence in our daily routines as well as belief to approach any situation. There are enough studies on the relationship between acne and low self-esteem. For this article, I am specifically going to look at acne and spots.

The most common misconception attributed to achieving clear skin is that consuming junk food will lead to acne and spots. A diet predominantly relying on fast food is only part of the reason for the appearance of acne and spots. The most common cause of acne and spots is hormonal fluctuations such as those during your teenage years. The fluctuations also occur as women go through the perimenopause and beyond. Read More…

Eczema is a common skin concern which can affect virtually anyone with a number of treatment options, the most popular being natural and steroidal creams. According to Allergy UK, it’s thought that over 15 million people in the UK suffer with it. The term eczema is loosely used to describe a skin condition in which the outer skin layer is inflamed though and there are several ways to help relieve the symptoms.

What are the common symptoms of eczema

Eczema is normally a persistent skin condition which causes skin rashes and dryness of skin. The common symptoms of eczema include redness of skin, itching, inflammation, dryness, cracking, swelling, skin blisters and oozing of skin. Because eczema can be a repetitive concern, many people will experience some skin discolouration with scarring rarely a problem. Eczema is often mistaken for psoriasis, but there are several differences; the main one being that eczema invariably affects the flexible part of any of the joints. There are also other differences which include the time of onset and the differences in what triggers both these skin concerns. Read More…

A small tube of balm is having a big effect on troubled skin. A colleague tells me that the soothing natural remedy Selexir Peace Balm, containing aloe vera, honey and shea butter, was a ‘miracle-worker’ that had shifted a rough, dry patch by her mouth which nothing else had been able to improve. And a reader had an ‘itchy, red, warm patch of eczema’ by her elbow which the balm eased in four hours. ‘If it hadn’t happened to me, I wouldn’t have believed it,’ she said.

1. FOR COLD SORES
Pharmacist Shabir Daya recommends lemon balm, which has been shown to combat and heal cold sores in two to four days. To avoid contamination, apply with a fresh cotton bud each time. Lemon Balm Cream by Granary Herbs, £8.50 for 60ml.

2. FOR ECZEMA IN BABIES AND CHILDREN
Steroid-free (but not natural) Dermalex Repair, developed by dermatologists, relieves itching and prevents new flare-ups. Dermalex Repair by Omega Pharma, £24.99 for 100g, from amazon.co.uk.

Many people choose to seek natural remedies for alleviating eczema and psoriasis. These skin problems can give one a lot of discomfort and for some may be debilitating. Most of us use the term eczema and psoriasis very loosely and yet these two concerns are similar, yet distinctly different. The terms eczema and psoriasis are both of Greek origin. Eczema literally means ‘to boil out’ whilst psoriasis means ‘to itch’. Eczema affects both children and adults whereas psoriasis seems to predominantly affect adults. Surveys suggest that nearly 20% of children living in UK, and five percent of the adult population suffer from eczema whilst three percent of the adults suffer from psoriasis. When you put these percentages into numbers, we are talking in terms of millions of sufferers and it is no wonder that there are hundreds of both natural and pharmaceutical products aimed at both these concerns.

With eczema, the itch starts before the rash develops, whilst with psoriasis there is an increased growth in the outer part of skin, which gets inflamed resulting in white thick layers of skin. Both eczema and psoriasis are potentially allergic concerns that can be triggered by environmental factors, external allergens and even food intolerances. Although not fully understood, psoriasis has a hereditary component and may be triggered by stress and infections. Whilst there are different types of eczema and psoriasis, essentially the treatment for these concerns remains similar. Read More…

Q: I am 30 and have post-nasal drip, which makes it very hard to breathe, particularly as I am also asthmatic. I would like to feel well, especially around Christmas, but the doctor is very dismissive.

A: Pharmacist Shabir Daya has helped many people with this problem so I asked him for his advice. He explains that post-nasal drip (PND) is associated with excessive production of mucus by the respiratory tract in the nose, which then accumulates at the back of the throat or in the nasal cavity. This causes problems with breathing.

The big culprits tend to be acid-producing foods, especially dairy products, tomatoes and potatoes. So cut down on these as much as possible. Try swapping cow’s milk for almond, rice or oat milk (available from good supermarkets nationwide). Some asthmatics also find it helps to cut down on gluten too. Read More…

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